Bundle stiffener



Dec. 23, 1952 H. w. STAFFORD 2,622,509

BUNDLE STIFFENER Filed Sept. 26, 1950 5 /50 INVENTOR.

m \\\\\v HORACE W. STAFFORD I3 53 J4 By .T -6- J e 2 ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 23, 1952 UNITED STATES TENT OFFICE BUNDLE STIFFENER Horace W. Stafford, South San Francisco, Calif.

Application September 26, 1950, Serial No. 186,750

7 Claims. 1

This invention relates stiffener.

It is contemplated that bundle stiffening devices of a type embodying the present invention will have particular utility in baling of compressible bundles, such as relatively small bundles of newspapers, or the like, which have a tendency to crush or crumple when tying wire is wound taughtly around them.

In the shipping departments of a number of newspaper publishing concerns, small bundles of newspapers must be baled preparatory to shipping or transporting them to their ultimate destination for sale or delivery. In such concerns, automatic wire tying machines are frequently employed for winding wires around the bundles under considerable tension and for effecting tying of the ends of the tensioned Wire. However, whipping of the tying wire around the bundle under tension frequently will cause said bundle to crumple or crush rendering it in a condition unsuitable for shipment.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a novel bundle stiffening device which may be successfully and usefully employed in baling bundles which normally have a tendency to crumple or crush upon tying wire being tensioned therearound.

The preferred use of the present bundle stiffener involves the temporary positioning of a suitable removable stiffening element across a surface (preferably the top surface) of a bundle in the path of a baling wire under tension being wound therearound in order to prevent said bundle from collapsing or crumpling into an irregular shape due to action of the tensioned wire. Preferably the span of the stiffening element is proportioned relatively to the width of the bundle so that opposite ends of the stiffening element are spaced slightly inwardly from opposed side edges of the bundle. This arrangement allows for the tensioned tying wire to compress the bundle inwardly a small amount so that, when the stiffening element is withdrawn after the tie is made in the wire, the resilient bundle material will expand outwardly against the wire and thereby maintain taughtness in said wire.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a bundle stiffening device comprising a pair of spaced, oppositely disposed relatively flat wire engaging portions which are bevelled at their outer side and end edges defining relatively thin marginal portions to facilitate withdrawal of the tool after a tie has been made.

Another object of the present invention is to to an improved bundle 2 provide a bundle stiffening device having a pair of spaced wire engaging portions constructed so as to be adjustably movable toward and away from one another. This feature is of value in that the device may be adjusted to permit its use in association with bundles of different sizes.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings in which similar characters of reference represent corresponding parts in each of the several views.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view in elevation of a somewhat conventional type of wire tying machine showing how the bundle stiffener may be employed in connection therewith during baling operations.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of one embodiment of the bundle stiiTener.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing how the bundle stiffener may be employed in association with a bundle during baling operations.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 44 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of the bundle stiffener.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken'o'n line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 2, 3 and 4 in the accompanying drawings, the embodiment of the present invention therein illustrated comprises, generally, a handle A, body portion B, spaced, oppositely disposed, wire engaging portions C and D, and shock absorbers E and F.

Body portion B of the device comprises more specifically a generally U-shaped integral piece of relatively fiat metal defining a cross member or web portion II and oppositely disposed parallel side arms I2 and I3, respectively. Rearwardly ex tending plate I4, which forms a part of handle A, is preferably made as an integral extension of body portion B. I

The outer end portions of side arms [2 and 13 define wire engaging portions C and D. More specifically, the outer end of side arm [2 terminates in a reduced step portion l5 which is bevelled along its outer side edge l6 and end edge l1, defining relatively thin marginal portions.

Wire engaging portion D is constructed similarly to portion C heretofore described and is formed as a reduced step portion [8 having bevelled side and end edges [9 and 2!, respectively. A suitable rigid transversely extending brace member 23 connecting side arms l2 and I3 is also preferably provided.

The outer marginal edges of both side arms l2 and l 3 are formed with rectangular cut-outs, such as indicated at 24 and 25, respectively. Shock absorbers E and F, comprising rectangular blocks of suitable cushioning material (such as hard rubber) project above the top surfaces of the side arms and are secured thereto by screws or pins, such as indicated at 26 and 26a, respectively. Blocks E and F are each proportioned to present a depending portion, such as indicated at 2'! and 28, respectively, and each depending portion is adapted to occupy the gap or space formed b' an associated cut-out 24 or 25.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. and 6 is generally similar in its construction to the embodiment hereinabove described in connection with Figs. 2, 3, and 4. More particularly, the embodiment shown in Figs. 5 and 6 comprises, generally, a handle A, a body portion B, wire engaging portions C and D and shock absorbers E and F. For the sake of brevity, it will suflice to remark that the construction of the above named elements is generally similar in nearly all respects to the construction of corresponding elements of the first embodiment of the invention heretofore described. However, the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 shows how one side arm I311 is supported for adjustable movement relatively toward and away from its mate. More particularly, the base of side arm l3a is formed with a plurality of square teeth 50 which are adapted to mesh with correspondingly proportioned teeth or serrations 5| formed along the forward edge of web portion Ha. As indicated in Fig. 6, each of the teeth 50 of side arm l3a is undercut to form a shoulder portion 53 of reduced depth. The cutouts between adjacent teeth 5| are provided with supporting ledges 54 which present supporting surfaces for shoulder portions 53 of teeth 50.

Cross-brace 23a, connecting the two side arms, comprises a pair of arms 55 and 56 mounted slidably with respect to one another. Arm 55 is provided with upwardly projecting bolt and lock nut 51 which is adapted to move slidably within slot 58 formed in arm 56. From the foregoing it is seen that adjustable spacing between the two side arms may be accomplished by moving arm [3a into various selective positions along web I la in meshed engagement therewith.

Fig. 3 illustrates how the device may be placed on top of a bundle 60 in such manner that the wire engaging portions of the device are disposed in the path of the tying wire 61, whereby when the wire is wound completely around the bundle, the aforesaid wire engaging portions will be disposed between the top surface of the bundle and the wire. Preferably the length or span of the wire engaging portions is such that said portions are disposed slightly inwardly (preferably about A; of an inch) from the side edges 62 of the bundle. This allows for inward compression of the bundle material proximate said wire when said wire is drawn taughtly around said bundle and tied. After the tie is made the instrument is withdrawn entirely and due to the natural tendency of the partially compressed material to expand outwardly against the retaining force of the wire, the latter remains taut and secure about the bundle. In this connection, it is further noted that because the outside marginal side and end edges of the wire engaging portions of the device are bevelled, easy and rapid withdrawal operations.

4 of the device from beneath the taut wire is assured.

As heretofore indicated a bundle stiffening device embodying the present invention may be successfully employed as a baling accessory to certain types of wire tying machines, although it is understood that the scope of the subject invention is not restricted to any such particular use.

The purpose and function of the shock absorbers E and F (or E and F) may be readily understood by having reference to Fig. 1 wherein there is illustrated a wire tying machine of more or less conventional construction, and in association with which a bundle stiffening device embodying the present invention may be successfully employed. A machine of the general character illustrated in Fig. 1 is disclosed in Patent No. 2,191,082--G. D. Parkerdated February 20, 1940.

The machine illustrated in Fig. l is shown as incorporating a vertical stationary pillar 6d, a table surface 65, a rotating wire-feeding ring 66, a vertically movable compression arm 51, and a laterally movable compression arm 53. The operation of the machine is illustrated in broken lines and is such that shortly prior to or during the time that ring 66 rotates to wind tying wire 69 around said bundle, arms 6'! and 58 move respectively downwardly (toward table surface 65) and laterally inwardly (toward pillar $4) to com press and clamp said bundle firmly during tying This being the case, it is important that a bundle stiffening device, when used in connection with a machine of the above mentioned character, be provided with suitable shock absorbers to cushion shock imparted through action of said compression arms moving against said bundle as aforesaid. The upwardly projecting portions of the blocks E and F (or E and F) are adapted to cushion shock from vertically movable compression arm 61, and portions 2'! and 28 of the blocks are adapted to cushion shock imparted through action of compression arm 68 (which acts to compress the bundle between said arm and pillar 64).

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A bundle stiffener for positioning on top of a bundle and adapted for use in association with a wire tying machine of a type incorporating vertically and laterally movable compression members for exerting downward and sidewise compression against a bundle during tying operations, comprising; a tool body, spaced oppositely disposed substantially flat wire-engaging portions provided on said tool body, shock absorbers provided on said tool body, at least one shock absorber provided adjacent a side edge of said tool body to absorb shock imparted through action of the laterally movable compression member of said machine, and at least one shock absorber disposed above said tool body to absorb shock imparted through action of said vertically movable compression member of said machine.

2. A device according to claim 1 and wherein said shock absorbers comprise cushioning material provided on the top and opposite side edges of said tool body.

3. A device according to claim 1 and wherein said spaced wire engaging portions are bevelled along their outer end and side edges defining relatively thin outer marginal portions.

4. A device according to claim 1 and wherein said oppositely disposed wir engaging portions are supported by said tool body for relative adjustable movement toward and away from one another to permit adjustable spacing between said portions.

5. A bundle stiffener for use in association with a wire tying machine of a type incorporating vertically and laterally movable compression members for exerting downward and sidewise compression against a bundle during tying operations, comprising; a substantially U-shaped body portion defining a web portion and two spaced parallel side members extending outwardly from said web portion, each side member provided with a cut-out along its outer edge, a block of cushioning material provided on each side member, a portion of each block of cushioning extending above the top surface of an associated side member to absorb shock imparted through action of the vertically movable compression member of said machine and another portion of said block of cushioning material disposed in the cut-out formed in said associated side memher to absorb shock imparted through action of said laterally movable compression member of said machine, the outer end and side edges of said side members being bevelled defining relatively thin outer marginal wire engaging portions.

6. A bundle stiffener according to claim 5 and wherein at least one side member is supported adjustable movable relatively toward and away from said other side member to permit adjustable spacing between said side members.

7. A bundle stiffener according to claim 5 and wherein there is provided an extensible member connecting said side members adjacent their outer ends, and wherein the base of one of said side members is supported for adjustable movement with respect to said web portion longitudinally of said web portion, whereby said last named side member may be moved relatively toward and away from said other side member to permit adjustable spacing between said side members.

HORACE W. STAFFORD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 427,849 Getten May 13, 1890 1,458,037 Dickey June 5, 1923 1,514,309 Bugg Nov. 4, 1924 2,151,281 Stalkfleet Mar. 21, 1939 2,418,550 Edwards Apr. 8, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 29,434 Australia Oct. '7, 1931 

